Buckhaven

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Coordinates: 56°10′39″N 3°01′49″W / 56.1776°N 3.0303°W / 56.1776; -3.0303
Buckhaven
Scots: Buckhyne

The Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital, Buckhaven
Buckhaven

 Buckhaven shown within Fife
Population 16,391 [1] (2001 census)
est. 16,240[2] (2006),
including Methil
OS grid reference NT361988
Council area Fife
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Leven
Postcode district KY8
Dialling code 01592
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament Glenrothes
Scottish Parliament Kirkcaldy
List of places
UK
Scotland

Buckhaven is a town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth between East Wemyss and Methil. Buckhaven was originally settled by Norsemen[citation needed] and the word Buckhaven is possibly a derivative word or phrase from an old Norse language meaning "roaring harbour".[citation needed]

Details

According to estimates in 2006, the population including Methil stood at around 16,240: however, the Levenmouth area including Kennoway, Leven, the Wemyss villages, Largo Bay and Windygates has a combined population of around 37,410.[2] The population of Buckhaven & Denbeath (comprising seven different datazones) is 5,483 according to the 2001 Census.

Once a thriving weaving village and fishing port, it was reported as having in 1831, the second-largest fishing fleet in Scotland with a total of 198 boats. Fishing declined during the 19th century, but in the 1860s Buckhaven developed more into a mining town. Although coal waste blackened its beaches and silted up its harbour (now inexistant), it later became a Fife coast holiday resort and recreation are for locals. Nowadays, it is classed as one of Fife's 'Regeneration areas' in need of regeneration socially and economically.

The fishing community of Buckhaven is said to have been largely the descendants of Norsemen who settled there in the 9th century.
Centuries later, Buckhaven's fisherfolk bought an Episcopal Church in St Andrews in 1869 and transported it stone by stone to Buckhaven, using fishing boats.

St.Andrews Church in Buckhaven was restored in the 1980s, when the building was converted into a theatre.
Many years before, St.Andrews Church of Scotland had previously combined with the other local Church of Scotlands into one parish.
In the 1980s the St.Andrews building continued to be owned by Buckhaven Parish Church, even after the conversion.

Buckhaven Museum has displays on the history of the fishing industry.

Buckhaven is on the Fife Coastal Path, and near to Wemyss Caves and Largo Bay.

Notable people

  • Robert Dunsire, recipient of the Victoria Cross
  • Shaun Evans, former professional footballer who played for Celtic, Preston North End and Blackpool amongst others. Also represented his country.
  • Hugh O'Donnell, also a professional footballer, brother of Frank O'Donnell.
  • Jade Richards a contestant of The X Factor 2011, 2012 & 2013. She didn't get any further than judges houses stage.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Comparative Population Profile: Buckhaven Locality". Scotland's Census Results Online. 2001-04-29. Retrieved 2008-09-01. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data

External links

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